Should Congress extend jobless benefits?

Unemployed people look for jobs at a Workforce One Employment Solutions center Tuesday in North Miami, Fla.

Unemployed people look for jobs at a Workforce One Employment Solutions center Tuesday in North Miami, Fla. (Getty Images)

More than a million Americans lost long-term unemployment benefits on Dec. 28. The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to extend those benefits for workers who have been out of a job for at least six months. Democrats, including President Obama, praised the Senate vote and urged the House to pass a similar measure. They say the still-high unemployment rate makes such aid essential, and the benefits help the economy and government by keeping the unemployed off other expensive aid programs, such as Medicaid. But Republicans were less enthusiastic. Sen. Tom Coburn said jobless benefits don’t incentivize people to get people back to work. Others point out that benefits are supposed to be temporary and that the economy is improving. What’s your view?